Taser had no effect on Moat, says officer

The wanted murderer had told police negotiators “this is all going to end in this field tonight”, the jury at Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The West Yorkshire Police officer, named only as Zulu 24, had been called to the grassy area by the River Coquet in Rothbury, Northumberland, to relieve other armed officers who had been containing Moat for several hours.

A huge manhunt had been launched after Moat shot his ex-girlfriend Sam Stobbart, murdered her new boyfriend Chris Brown, 29, and later blinded Pc David Rathband.

During the stand-off negotiators developed a good rapport with Moat, Zulu 24 said.

The man who declared war on police even told them where he had hidden a gun in woods as he did not want a child to find it, the officer said.

But the tone of negotiations changed, and the officer said: “Moat went on to say he didn’t want to be a drain on society, that he didn’t want to go to jail and one particular thing he did say was it was all going to end in this field tonight.”

Moat shuffled his feet, and in a swift movement brought the gun from under his chin and pointed it at his temple, the officer said.

“I thought he was going to shoot himself.”

Zulu 24, who was aiming an experimental X12 shotgun at Moat’s chest, fired.

He said: “Moat let out a noise as if he had been struck by something. He then rocked back slowly and then discharged the shotgun.

“I was aware my round had struck him. I don’t think it had any effect.”

He said when he fired an X26 handgun-style Taser previously, it had made a loud, crackling noise, but that did not happen with the X12.

Coroner David Mitford asked: “Was there any effect on Mr Moat?”

“None whatsoever, sir,” the witness replied.

The inquest continues.